Ross County 3 - 2 Motherwell: Staggies hold on for frantic win

Michael Gardyne struck a double as Ross County withstood a second-half comeback from Motherwell to edge a five-goal thriller in Dingwall.

On becoming Ross County manager, Owen Coyle made a simple pledge. Every slate was clean. Every player would get his chance.

Underlying Coyle’s promise, though, was the slightest hint of threat. The former Burnley and Blackburn Rovers manager indicated he would seek to add his own “flavour” to the squad mix come the winter months.

Many more performances like Ross County’s first-half display and the seasoning could be light. More of the second half and the recipe may be altered more radically.

Initially, against League Cup finalists with three wins and a draw from their last four Dingwall visits, County went on the rampage. Michael Gardyne netted twice and set up another for young Davis Keillor-Dunn, all before the break.

But Ryan Bowman struck back early in the second half and Louis Moult’s late header had the hosts in a sweat as they clung on at the end.

Coyle, though, is content the Dingwall team have now amassed 10 points from the last six games after gleaning just four from the first seven.

“We knew we would have to battle to earn the right to play, but we scored some wonderful goals,” he said. “The disappointment is we could have managed the game a bit better at 3-0 up.

“We are progressing but there is still more to come from us – and that will take time – but the boys are giving us everything.”

Motherwell exerted early pressure and, after 12 minutes, a Moult header hit the net only to be denied by the off-side flag. Within the next minute, the hosts were ahead.